Spring construction



March 1, 1932. R. a. ZIMMERMAN SPRING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec.

Patented Mar. 1, 1932 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOSE B. ZIMMEBMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS srnmcloorrsrnncrrolv Application filed. December 5, 1930. Serial No. 500,176.

This invention relates to spring construcjacent straight surfaces the tie wire has a tion and particularly inner spring construcright hand turn and at its other edge has a tion for mattresses, cushions, davenports, left hand turn. This spring tie wire is conchair seats and other similar articles. tinuous and connects the varlous sets or gangs The primary object of the invention is to of springs. The tie wire between each set or 5 provide a new and novel spring construction gang of springs is crimped to provide refor mattresses, cushions, and the like, which silie'ncy between sets or gangs. The adjacent construction makes the springs more resilient straight edges which are connected b the tie I and provides for a bin e connection between wire permit for a hinge connection hetween individual spring mem ers. adjacent springs of each set or gang. This Another object of the invention is to proconstruction provides a stron and efficient vide an improved spring construction which means for connecting-the springs together,

causes the individualsprings to contract 210- forms a hinge connection between adjacent cording to the weight carried by each spring springs in each set or gang, and causes a without transmitting contraction to other flexible or resilient connection between each 68 springs. set or gang. Springs of this type connected Another object is to provide a new and, by the particular tie wire heretofore mennovel method for connecting springs, wheretioned causesthe complete sprin assembly by there is a resilient or flexible tie connection t co f r to the shape f the ha y and prebetween individual springs so that the weight vents weight transmitted on a certain numapplied to a single spring will be relieve by her of individual springs from being transthe tie connection and not transmitted to mitted throughout the entire sprin assembly. other springs. The accompanying drawings i lustrate a.

A further object is to provide an 1111181 selected embodiment of the invention and spring construction for mattresses whereby the vie s therein are a follows: v the springs are arranged in sets or gangs, the Fig. 1 is a detail plan view of a spring con- I springs of each section or gang having their struction embodying the invention. sides adjacent .and hingedly connected to- Fig. 2 is a detail view of a tie wire discongether by a crimped or resilient tie wire. nected from the individual springs.

A still further object isto provide a spring Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view through a of spiralled construction having upper an mattress employing the improved spring conlower contacting surfaces relatively circular struction. I with oppositely disposed relatively straight Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view showmg edges. the manner in which the springs of each set Numerous other objects and advantages organg are connected together by a tie wire will be apparent throughout the progress of having a right and left hand wind. the following specification. Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of a pair of n- The invention comprises in general a spiral dividual springs showingthe hinge conneccoiled spring of the usual construction which tion between ad acent springs of each set or 40 is commonly used for bedsprings, mattresses, gang.

cushions, and the like. The upper circular Referring to the drawings, 6 designates a contacting portions of the s rings are romattress, cushion, or other like article having vided with oppositely dispose straight e ges. pads ,7 arranged above and below the inner The springs are arranged in sets or gangs spr1ngs8; The pads 7 compr1se twolayers 5 with the straight edge 0 one spring arranged of ticking Qbetween wh ch a fillerlO, such as adjacent'a straight edge of another spring. felt, hair, or the like, is arranged. A side Each set or gang of springs is connected with pad 11 extendsa'bout the sides and-edges of a a longitudinal t1e wire. This tie wire passes completed spring assembly, having upper about the adjacent straight edges of the and lower rolled edges 12, 12 which are 50 springs in each gang. At one edge of the adtened to the pads 7 in the usual manner. 10

tudinal sets or gangs 14, Fig. 1.

Each spring 8 has oppositely disposed straight sides 15 on its upper and lower surface which are adapted to engage the straight sides of adjacent springs in each set or gang.

Transverse tie rods 16 pass about the adjacent straight edges of two springs of each set or gang and operatively connect each set or gang together, providing a hinge connection between adjacent springs in each set or gang. The tie wire 16 is wound about the straight edges 15 of adjacent individual springs (providing a hinge connection) as indicated at 17 and 18, Figs. 1 and 4. The wind 17 is right handed as indicated at 19, Fig. 4, while the wind 18 is left handed as designated at 20. This right and left handed winding holds the springs of each set together, prevents the edges of the springs from overlapping, and permits a hinged connection between adjacent springs of each set or gang.

Between each set or gang 14:, the tie wire 16 is provided with a plurality of crimps 21 for providing a relatively resilient connection between each set or gang. Therefore, when a weight is applied to any number of springs, the adjacent springs are permitted to contract or flex as shown in Fig. 5, thereby preventing a plurality of other individual springs from flexing or contracting. The tie wires 16, due to their resiliency caused by the crimps 21, prevent the springs in another gang or set from flexing or contracting, as the depression of one spring is taken up by the connecting tie wire and not transmitted to the next gang or set. Also the part 22 of the spring, which is that part between the coils 17 and 18, assists in holding the straight edges 15 of adjacent springs together and adding strength thereto.

The tie wires 16 connect contiguous springs in each setand also connect each set. Between each set these tie wires are crimped and provide elasticity or resiliency between each set or gang. Therefore, a pressure on any one or any plurality of springs is taken .up by the tie wires instead of being transmitted to other springs. The tie wires are continuous, running from one end of the spring completely across to the other end, forming a tie connection between contiguous sprlngs and also forming a tie connection between individual sets. This provides a durable construction for the spring assembly.

The present spring construction provides a spring which is noiseless and eliminates all squeakin The tie wires 16 are directly connecte to each set or gang and made continuous, thereby preventing a plurality of loose connections to cause noise and squeaks as is found in the conventional type of spring.

The straight edges 15 of the springs are circular in cross section and the outer rounded edge of one straight side is contiguous with the rounded edge of a straight side of an adjacent spring. Therefore, when a pressure is applied to one spring, the two contacting rounded surfaces will ride over one another reducing friction and preventing squeaks and noises.

The inner spring construction herein shown is applicable to all articles to which the invention may pertain, but is particularly adaptable for bed-springs, mattresses, cushions for automobiles, furniture cushions and all other similar articles.

The invention provides a spring construction, particularly an inner spring construction for mattresses, cushions, and the like, which is more resilient, makes the springs shape to the body, and prevents the contraction of an individual spring, or springs, upon which a weight is applied from being transmitted throughout the entire spring assembly. L The straight opposite edges on the upper and lower surfaces of the springs permit a hinged connection between adjacent springs and prevents the upper and lower coils of one spring from overlapping an adjacent spring. The tie wire prevents the contraction or deflection of the springs in one set or gang from being transmitted to another set or gang due to the flexibility of the tie wire between sets or gangs caused by the crimping. The right and left wind about the straight ed es of adjacent springs tends to hold the e ges of the springs in position, prevents the edges of the springs from overlapping, and makes an efiicient and sturdy spring construction.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departin from the spirit of the invention or sacri cing any of its advantages, and

the right is hereby reserved to make all suchchanges as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows: 1. A spring assembly comprising a plurality of coiled springs arranged in parallel spaced rows, the top coil of each spring in a row-having on each side in the row an offset portion providing first and second separated shoulder portions extending toward the adjacent spring of the row connected by a substantially straight portion, the straight portions of adjacent springs of a row being in contact throughout a substantial portion of their length, and tie wires extending transversely of the rows and connecting adjacent pairs of one row to corresponding adjacent pairs in the adjacent rows, the tie wire being looped about the straight contacting portions adjacent the first shoulder portion and reversely looped about said contacting the plane of the upper surface of the spring portions adjacent said second shoulder portion, the portions of the tie wire extending between the spaced rows being provided with resilient bends in the upper'surfaces of the spring assembly whereby adjacent spaced rows are resiliently connected.

2. A spring assembly comprising a plurality of coiled springs arranged in parallel spaced rows, the top coil of each spring in a row having on each side in the row an offset portion providing first and second separated shoulder portions extending toward the adjacent spring of the row connected by a substantially straight portion, the straight portions of adjacent springs of 'a row being in contact throughout a substantial'portion of their length, and tie wires extending transversely of the rows and connecting adjacent pairs of one row to corresponding adjacent pairs in the adjacent rows, the tie wire being looped about the straight contacting portions adjacent the first shoulder portion at least twice and reversely looped about said contacting portions adjacent the second shoulder portion at least twice, the portions of the tie wirefextendi-ng between the spaced rows being provided with resilient bends in assembly whereby adjacent spaced rows are resilient-1y connected.

In witness whereof, .I have hereunto subscribed my name.

, ROSE B. ZIMMERMAN. 

